This girl is always taking another little piece of my heart

Okay...can I do it?  I am getting a tickle of interest to start blogging about family life again.  Mostly, I am driven by Emi's irresistibly sentimental nature.  Already, at age 5, she questions me daily about her baby years, Sen's baby year, my baby years...you get the picture.  When looking back on some pictures from a few years ago, I was somewhat startled, yet not surprised (okay, I know those words mean pretty much the same thing, but you just have to trust me on this one), at how many of the details have already started to blur.  

My goal is to keep it short and sweet, but to use this space, in its infinite awesomeness of multi-media ease, to begin to keep track of it all again.  It's a perfect time for Emi to be growing up in.

So for today - with Dada out of town in Eugene, we enjoyed a beautiful day of winter warmth and sunshine in Portland, packed full to the gills with friends and fun.  A lovely brunch at the house of Emi's best-friend (and her former preschool), a trip to Arbor Lodge Park to celebrate a kindergarten friend's 6th birthday (the astroturf hill was all the rage at this place, with Sen blazing the way of speed-sliding down it to the bottom), and some special time for Sen with his Seanny-Beep-Beep (aka Uncle Sean) while Emi and I had a lovely, well-planned date at Petite Provence.  We feasted on grilled cheese, sauteed spinach and mushrooms, and tomato fennel soup.  I had coffee, while Emi opted for hot coca, and finished things off with some lovely French desserts.  

We arrived home to the boys starting Spaceballs, so Emi was lucky enough to get in on the action.  Earlier in the week, I had started to get nervous about how full today was shaping up today.  But when the kids passed out, right after bedtime, I couldn't have been happier for such a full day!

Happy Holidays

Our funny family had a wonderful holiday season,

and we hope yours did as well.

Although no greeting cards were sent out this year

we wish you all joy and peace in the New Year.

This season was marked by the joy and comfort of being together - family, warm snuggles,and lots of homemade goodness to warm our bellies and our hearts.

Of course the greatest gift is always family, and I am feeling so

grateful for the two little monkeys under our tree.

my little forest people

Oh, sorry for the false alarm.

So much change and evolution over the past year or year and a half. Perhaps one day I will take the time to sum it all up.

Recently though, some thoughts.

Children are our greatest teachers, our wisest leaders, and our most compassionate companions. Parenting can be so much easier when those simple beliefs are at the forefront of our thought. During my first Reiki atunement one week ago, I had a lovely period of time where this was all so clear to me, and over the past several days I feel fortunate that the awareness has maintained some potency.

And while I don't think that I should sway more in my decision to say no to cookies at bedtime, it helps me to remember that there can never be too much time spent sitting on the couch reading books with my little people.

Back!

We're back up!
It's been a long year, with lots of ups, downs, changes, and round-abouts.
But, I think I'm ready to get back at it.

Coming soon...the holidays in review.

late summer beauty

Summer,

I will miss you. We have had such a wonderful time
playing, watering, tending, and basking in your
golden warmth.

A hint of autumn is in the air,
so until next year,

thank you, thank you, thank you!

adventures in dogsitting

we have been watching our friends ben and kristi's boston terrier for a few days now. it has gone extremely well - she is great around emi, mustard, and the chickens. This evening Kashi came over for awhile and we all took Angel out for a walk. We had gotten a few houses down when Angel made way into the neighbor's yard to pee. That reminded me I had better get a bag for any other surprises along the way. I ran back into the house and when I came back out with the bag Sen was very excited to hold it, since I had told him that he couldn't hold the leash. When he asked what it was for I explained it to him and he said, "Oh yeah, it's hard work picking up dog poop, huh?"

"Yeah, you're right it kinda is" I responded. Sen tilted his head and looked at me thoughtfully and said, "Yeah, it's hard work for you, not me" and then ran off to catch up with Kashi.

One is such fun

birthday day..

cards,

lunch in a tutu...

with daddy....

playing at the park,

and a pizza party!

but don't leave yet, there was still more fun to be had that weekend...

it started with...

shortcake ready to go in the oven...


and that meant the next day was


Birthday Party Day!

It was a very "P"-ful day...

pretty,

presents,
picking,
playing,
and pouting!?!...

but don't worry it all ended happily with a very sweet little girl taking a very sweet little nap.

emi is happiness

Happy Birthday Emi!

One year old today
and falling in love with you
more and more every day!

wish you were here

little bursting seeds

Our garden is really starting to get going lately.

The other day I made a salad out of
lettuce, basil, green onions, and brocolli
and sprinkled it with flowers -
lavender,
rose petals,
calendula,
and nasturtiums
...all from our garden.

Food tastes so much better when you grow it yourself!

I've been introducing a simple verse before our meals that I found in Seven Times the Sun by Shea Darian. The verse she gave is a little longer, but I have gleaned out my favorite part:



"We thank the earth who grew this food,
from little bursting seeds,
And the Keeper of the Earth,
whose gifts fulfill our needs"

Claudette

Meet Claudette.

Loves blush, strawberry soda, and hot fudge sundaes.
Favorite flower: roses

Please find her at the Silent Auction for Carol
June 14-16!

Auction for Carol

I am adding a new button to the side bar of my blog today in support of an online auction that will be going on June 14 -16...

and I am excited to say that I am working on a doll to donate to the auction!

The auction is a benefit for Carol Decker - a mom who has been through more than I can possibly imagine.

Please take a moment to visit their website and learn about this incredibly strong and beautiful mother.

Okay, I better go get to work!

where oh where could my little girl be?

The other day it became curiously quiet...

Luckily my little girl is smart enough to leave
a trail...

I think I shall call her Gretel.

the end.

Days like this make me want to live forever

I am so lucky!

I am so lucky!

I am so lucky!

Sen turns 4

Happy Birthday Sen!

Dear Sen,
Thank you for being born.
I am so happy to have such a sweet little gnome in my life.
It has been such a beautiful adventure getting to know you better everyday.
I hope that you enjoyed your birthday as much as
I have enjoyed you over the past four years.


...I had lots of fun getting ready for your party.
I hope you liked the mushroom pinata...

and the mushroom cupcakes too..

(and the Bûche de Noël...it was the chocolate that you asked for,
but I forgot to take a picture)

It was so fun having all of your sweet little woodland friends over...


...and your wonderful family as well.
Your big cousin Kashi, the birthday boy as well,
was such a great help in keeping everything under control.
It was so special that Nana came all the way to Oregon to
visit you on your birthday.

The birthday garden we planted is already beautiful and
I can't wait to enjoy it with you over the coming warm months.

I love you Sen!

Love,
mama

p.s.
thanks for being so excited about wearing
your gnome outfit to your birthday celebration
at school on thursday...